Minor League Transactions

With the Arizona League kicking off today, the AZL Brewers' MiLB.com page has finally been updated with a partial roster. It's, uh, interesting (20 pitchers, seven catchers, two infielders, no outfielders), but it does have some revelations, including some names we haven't seen in awhile. The following players are assigned there on rehab:

RHP Andre Lamontagne

LHP Mike Ramlow

LHP Brae Wright

C Cameron Garfield

C Rafael Neda

C Shawn Riggans

We also finally have confirmation that 22-year-old LHP Manny Ruiz was indeed promoted from the DSL, along with 19-year-old RHP Jeffrey Saba, whose numbers last year in his first pro season were undistinguished. DSL players still missing in action:

1B Hitaniel Arias

OF Jose Garcia

OF Ronny Puello

SS Andres Martinez

LHP Jose Ramos

Additionally, MiLB.com player pages note that RHP Jose Cepeda and DH Orton Rodriguez were released, and it's certainly possible that fate befell some of the players listed above, especially Arias and Garcia, who were healthy in spring training. Ramos hasn't played since 2009 but is still listed as "active" on the DSL Brewers by MiLB.com, so we'll keep him around until we hear otherwise. Finally, RHPs Leonard Lorenzo and Eduard Reyes also do not appear, but that's because they were both suspended last summer for steroid use.

EDIT: To follow up, the following players finished last year on the AZL roster but are also MIA so far this year:

LHP Dane Amedee

RHP Morgan Brinson

OF Derrick Shaw

They might show up later today or tomorrow, since recent draftees OF Malcolm Dowell, OF Matt Franco, 3B Jalen Harris, and SS Renaldo Jenkins, plus recently promoted OF Ruben Ozuna, are all also missing from the MiLB.com roster.

They might show up later today or tomorrow, since recent draftees OF Malcolm Dowell, OF Matt Franco, 3B Jalen Harris, and SS Renaldo Jenkins, plus recently promoted OF Ruben Ozuna, are all also missing from the MiLB.com roster.

The players that are listed in the portion of text in this post now appear on MiLB.com's Maryvale roster. The overall roster is now much more balanced in terms of actually having infielders and outfielders to suit up.

Just so we're thorough, we'll note that perpetually conveniently available / unavailable catcher Patrick Arlis was placed on Nashville's DL, retroactive to June 16th, when LHP Daniel Ray Herrera returned to the Sounds' roster. Arlis was there last week to bridge the gap before Wil Nieves reported.

Arlis, 30 years old, has one AB on the season (April 12th).

I know we have fun with Arlis' roster maneuverings, but we've linked to his "Get to Know Him" pagein the past, so review it if you missed it the first time. We've read he's expressed interest in coaching, and he's probably with the Sounds a good portion of the time (bullpen catcher, etc.), and hey, as of the 23rd, he'll be eligible for another assignment...

The opportunity to play professional baseball was too enticing and exciting to refuse. That's why former Chiles High pitcher Will West signed a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, ending a whirlwind year of uncertainty.

"It has been a year since I've been able to throw competitively, so it's going to be a really good experience and I am going to make the most of it," said West, who turns 19 next month. "I plan to get there and work as hard as I can."

West, who posted a 1.80 ERA in 65 innings with 91 strikeouts in 2010 at Chiles, was not selected in the MLB Draft earlier this month. West attended Georgia Tech, but transferred after one semester to Tallahassee Community College and was redshirted last spring. West, a 6-foot-4 lefty, pitched this summer with the Tallahassee Expos travel team.

Brewers area scout Ryan Robinson watched West in high school and was impressed by his poise and potential.

"The chances of him getting better are really good," said Robinson, who signed West. "He has a body (that projects well) and a really loose arm. He really knows how to pitch. Every time you saw him, you just thought he had a really good feel for pitching."

West departs Friday for the Brewers' spring training complex in Phoenix. He expects to remain in Arizona for the next two months in preparation for the Fall Instructional League.

"It was a very difficult decision, definitely the biggest decision I've made in my life," said West, a three-year letterman at NFC who transferred to Chiles for his senior season.

"But it's the best decision and what's right for me right now. The fact that I can go play pro baseball right now, that's awesome to me. It has been a dream of mine since I was knee high. All I have to worry about is baseball and working hard."

West, who tossed consecutive no-hitters as a junior at NFC, could be joined in the Brewers organization by former Rickards High outfielder Mallex Smith. Smith, selected in the 13th round with the 401st pick, is currently negotiating with the Brewers. Smith has committed to Santa Fe College.

Based on this tweet from Chris Mehring, we know that RHP Maverick Lasker was dropped from Brevard to Wisconisn. The Manatees need to free up another roster spot to make room for both Tyler Thornburg and Austin Ross.

Dustin Houle of Penticton, B.C., an eighth-round choice, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, who gave him a $150,000 signing bonus. Houle played for the Canadian junior national team and the Langley Blaze. He¹s the second Canadian to receive a six-figure bonus and the 14th to sign. Three other free agent Canadians have signed.

You can check out a couple scouting reports on Houle in the draft forum.

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